When award winning community pharmacist Harsha Vara took the step of acquiring her first pharmacy she knew exactly what she wanted and who she needed to achieve her vision. This was her first lone venture, with the support of her husband. The couple were previously running a successful pharmacy together. Mr Vara would still be central to the new project, but it was Mrs Vara's pharmacy vision that was the driving force. She wanted to go above and beyond by offering the local community a wholesome and holistic care approach for their healthcare needs. The pharmacy moved 200 metres closer to the nearby GP surgery to aide this mission.
Putney Pharmacy's increase in size, service offering and retail lines has seen the pharmacy become a real local pillar in its commitment to the community. Owner Mrs Vara and the team received the accolade of the Best Community Pharmacy from Pharmacy Business magazine and quiet rightly so. She wanted to create a 'wow factor' for herself and for the pharmacy customers.
When working with Rapeed Design to bring her pharmacy vision to life Mrs Vara knew exactly what she wanted, what she needed to add value to the community, how she will be able to offer more and what she expected from her chosen pharmacy shop fitting specialist.
The new premises was much larger than the previous pharmacy, which was 65 square metres. The new area covered 105 square metres plus an additional 105 square metres of basement space. The plan was to create one treatment room on the ground floor and five treatment rooms in the basement with toilets, shower, changing facilities that would be offering all sorts of holistic therapies, NHS and complimentary services.
After carrying out a feasibility survey we were able to work with the client to create a design that adds value to the business. All of the bespoke pharmacy furniture, sizes and materials were designed and chosen for longevity. The design brief was to create an organic, natural look and feel that always has a fresh and clean look. The designers were instructed that there was no use for fussiness or lighting effects. The directions were simple to marry a professional pharmacy service with a simple understated timeless and classic pharmacy design.
The design created an open dispensary, allowing extra storage space for growth with plenty of worktop area. Rapeed Design's hallmark half glass shelves across the higher level of the dispensary were chosen. In the retail section Mrs Vara wanted the pharmacy to give a more enhanced personal service which the designers interpreted by designing a large pharmacy counter with lots of choice of OTC medicines and increased display space.
Retail lines were diversified by sourcing high end, organic and various other specialist skincare products from European brands. The vitamin supplement ranges were also extended. The open plan feel gave more opportunity for face to face interaction between the counter staff and pharmacists with customers and patient users in the pharmacy.
Clear internal signage highlighted the services on offer in the basement treatment rooms and a consultation room was also fitted. A simple grid ceiling, lighting and classic colour scheme added to the finishing touches of the pharmacy refit. The use of natural materials was also a part of the design.
Speaking about the pharmacy design and fit out carried out by Rapeed Design, Mr Vara says, 'It's really nice. It's made a huge difference to How we work and it's a pleasure to come here to work. The staff like it because they have more space. The workflow in the dispensary is great. We are able to see the products in our pharmacy more clearly so we are able to serve our customers more effectively.'
